Event perception as a control process for visual awareness

ABSTRACT

We present evidence demonstrating that the structure of everyday events guides attention to and representation of visual properties. Incidental change detection increases dramatically at the boundaries between events, whereas individuals are largely unaware of the sequence of actions within a single event. Observers demonstrate a limited capacity for representing events, and inducing cognitive load by presenting two simultaneous events decreases detection of sequence errors. These studies support emerging evidence that the event perception network operates as a control process that guides attention and awareness in real-world settings.     

The Marikana Violence in South Africa: A Brief Psychodynamic Extrapolation

This study applies psychoanalytic concepts in making sense of the individual, group and collective factors that may have contributed towards the Marikana violence. Speculatively, individual factors might include the death instinct, repetition compulsion, and intra-psychic splitting. Related group dynamics such as identification with the aggressor, group and projective identification might be relevant as would the collective psychological influences of history of oppression, severe trans-generational traumatisation, and mystical cultural interpretations in a divided society. Further public truth, reconciliation and forgiveness processes in addition to other integrative forms of healing are proposed.     

Similar minds in the family: COVID-19 centrality and relationship quality

We examined whether perceived similarity in COVID-19 centrality (i.e., the extent to which one thinks of the pandemic as shaping current and future life) is associated with family relationship quality during the pandemic. Thinking that other family members are similar to oneself regarding the pandemic's centrality may improve the quality of family relationships. We collected data from Turkish family triads (i.e., mother, father, 18–25 years old child) and had 481 participants from 180 families. Participants rated their similarity in COVID-19 centrality with the other two family members and reported the general and daily quality of their relationship with them (relationship satisfaction, closeness, conflict). We analyzed the data using the Social Relations Model. We found that family members who, on average, perceived more similarity in COVID-19 centrality reported higher levels in positive attributes of general relationship quality (i.e., satisfaction and closeness). The effects on conflict and daily relationship quality were less conclusive. This research confirms that family members' reactions during the COVID-19 pandemic are interdependent. Perceiving that other family members are of similar minds about the centrality of the pandemic relates positively to some aspects of relationship quality.     

在不同事件率条件下人格倾向类型对认知性警戒的影响

本研究采用两种事件率 ,考察了人格倾向类型对认知性警戒的影响。实验结果表明 :(1 )事件率是影响作业绩效的一个重要因素。事件率与人格倾向存在着交互作用。 (2 )认知性警戒作业的应激效应与事件率有关 ,随着事件率的上升 ,受试者在作业过程中的应激水平明显增高。 (3 )根据对被试自觉疲劳的测量结果 ,在认知性警戒作业中 ,内倾者与外倾者间应激水平存在差异。     

CRT信号显示的刺激率和信号率对警觉作业的影响

本实验系统地考察了在不同刺激率、信号率条件下警觉水平的变化 ,并分析了以往警觉理论的适应条件。实验一采用 5次 /分、1 5次 /分和 30次 /分的刺激率条件 ,发现检测正确率在各条件下随时间的变化是由于 d′下降所致 ,而β值基本不变 ,可以认为警觉随时间下降是由于疲劳所致 ;中等刺激率条件下的 d′最高 ,低刺激率次之 ,高刺激率最差并且高刺激率导致被试唤醒水平降低。实验二在 30次 /分的高刺激率条件下变化信号率 (分别为 3次 /分、6次 /分和 1 2次 /分 ) ,发现信号率变化不会改变 d′,但导致β值的变化 ,可以认为高信噪比导致被试的唤醒水平升高     

Effects of psychological defense on processing of neutral stimuli indicated by event-related potentials (ERPs)

The Defense Mechanism Test (DMT) is claimed to identify personnel with a high risk for accidents. A new explanation for why the DMT seems to predict performance when survival depends on split second decisions is proposed. Sixteen right-handed, adult male students were tested with the DMT and with an ERP paradigm (two sine wave tones, presented binaurally). Each subject was tested with a one-stimulus paradigm, and a passive and an active oddball paradigm. Under the passive oddball condition, High defensive subjects differed from Low, having significantly smaller N2 amplitudes (low immediate perception), and significantly larger P3 amplitudes (rely on later associative mechanisms). High defensive subjects seem to have less ability to perceive the environment correctly immediately. This slowness may be fatal when life depends on split second decisions. The fundamental neurophysiological difference may also be the basis for the very complex cognitive and perceptual mechanisms involved in psychological defense mechanisms.     

I Am > Trauma: Experimentally Reducing Event Centrality and PTSD Symptoms in a Clinical Trial

Event centrality has been one of the strongest predictors of PTSD symptoms. We attempted to experimentally reduce event centrality using a modified version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a sample of traumatized participants from a community outreach center. Relative to a control group, participants who received ACT evidenced significant decreases in PTSD symptoms, depression, and event centrality. A mediation analysis revealed that the effect of condition on PTSD symptoms was mediated by decreases in event centrality. Only the effect of condition on depression was still significant at six weeks posttreatment. This study is the first to manipulate event centrality and suggests that components of ACT may be effective at reducing event centrality.     

抑郁性神经症患者精神创伤的临床调查与分析

通过调查与分析。希望进一步了解导致抑郁性神经症的精神创伤的性质和易感人群的年龄、教育程度和性别等方面的特点。为此类疾病的病因分析及其防治提供客观的依据。结果表明：1．不同的年龄、教育程度和性别均有各自敏感的生活事件,部分生活事件在任何年龄阶段、教育程度、性别的人群中都可构成精神创伤;2．家庭矛盾、个人发展、疾病、失去亲人等生活事件容易构成精神创伤,其中家庭矛盾尤为突出;3．不可控的生活事件是构成抑郁性神经症近、远期精神创伤的重要基础。可见,抑郁性神经症的发病与精神创伤关系密切;不同教育程度、年龄、性别对生活事件的体验及其导致精神创伤的程度不同。